The Linda Ferro Band

First, some "milestones":

* The Linda Ferro Band was nominated in the Blues category for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 North Bay Music Awards (CA, USA).

* The LFB had the pleasure of opening for Elvin Bishop at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa, CA

* The Sonoma County Blues Society did a "Featured Artist" interview of Linda Ferro in an issue of "BluesBeat" newsletter. Thanks, SCBS!

* In 7 days (!) Linda Ferro produced (and performed at) the "Reach Out To Haiti" fundraiser event in Santa Rosa CA at the Last Day Saloon. This show featured 8 of the best regional bands! Local Radio helped promote with interviews.

* Linda Ferro's music production company, "Keynote Productions" helped produce/promote the "African International Music Festival" in 2010, which benefited more than 10 different local and international non-profits.

Humble and proud to say that I'm the daughter of a (late) alto sax player ("The leader of the band") who had a 7-piece real-deal Big Band in Northern California, and a mom who sang like a lark.

Began copiously copying the lyrics to every song I knew in grade school, then graduated to writing poetry, taking classical piano and voice lessons. Received a BA degree "With Distinction" in English/Linguistics from Sonoma State University, CA.

I joined the requisite Rock 'n' Roll band as lead vocalist/keyboardist, then discovered how much the Blues moves me and have continued to write in that genre, as well as Rock and Jazz-influenced Pop.

WHERE I'VE PLAYED:

My performance experience has been in the California Bay Area: Pier 49 - "Lou's Blues" in San Francisco; a huge First Night celebration (Santa Rosa); opening for a national act at our performing arts center; many local community performing arts events (including composing and performing a musical score for "Dracula" at a high school theater group); many live local radio performances/interviews; and basically scores of clubs and private parties in the California Bay Area. (East Bay, North Bay, SF area) Out of area: Strawberry Festival near Sacramento, nigtclub in Folsom etc.

We are happy to report that we have been hired back several years in a row to do featured outdoor city park gigs in our county.

I love producing (and then performing at) live shows, and in addition to the benefits mentioned above, I have done 6 to date, including one called "Blues Harp" and another one "Blues Divas." This event featured two local female artists and myself, covering traditional Blues, Rock-based and Jazz-influenced Blues. (More recent benefit shows as discussed above)

AUDIENCE RESPONSE:

I love to work hard and do my homework to ensure a great event with high entertainment value, no matter how large or small the show is. I have purposely surrounded myself with positive people and dig deep to find ways to reach listeners. I do thorough publicity outreaches in my local area, and promise to support any venue/event as a "team player."

People say they love how I just throw my head back with a grin as wide as a river is long, and share this passion and JOY. I've been told it's contagious!

CD PRODUCTION:

Released my debut CD "Remember This" (August 19, 2007), which is a multi-genre musical odyssey of sorts - a tribute to the many years of songwriting I've enjoyed. Includes songs that are rockin', sultry, jazzy, thoughtful.

For the recording, I gathered (through Prairie Sun Studios, Cotati, CA) some of the finest musicians in the California Bay Area, including Al Garth (The Eagles) on sax, Roger Glenn (Pete Escovido) on vibes, award winning Volker Strifler on guitar, bassist Steve Evans (Coco Montoya) - even hired a pro string quartet to play my compositions on a newer rock ballad, and a cellist to play a cello line I composed on my synth (a dark art-piece with an uplifting finish, called "Never Has a Heart."

CD RELEASE:

To celebrate the release of this CD I had the pleasure of producing a show that included 15 artists (those who recorded with me), complete with stage manager. A lot of work - (no WONDER most artists don't produce their own shows!)

I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of crafting a set list which allowed me to move from jazz-infused tunes (complete with ac.bass/vibes) to singer/songwriter art-pieces, then to full-blown rockin' Blues with horn section. The musicianship of these performers was awesome, and I was thrilled to received SO many supportive comments about my material from these major cats.

RESPONSE TO CD:

I am very pleased that our local San Francisco Bay Area KJZY radio personality Ron Singleton told me recently that my debut CD "Remember This," stood up to any major label recording he's received for air-play, and has featured several of my tunes includi